Athens teen released from brain injury program, man who struck her with Jeep sentenced

Reporter

Grace Byrne, the 17-year-old Clarke Central High School student struck by a Jeep on Milledge Avenue in January, was discharged Thursday from the Shepherd Center’s Brain Injury Program in Atlanta, but will continue various therapies in the center’s outpatient program.

Grace sustained a traumatic brain injury after Joseph Potash, 22, of Athens, hit her with his Jeep Cherokee on Jan. 11 as she jogged across Milledge Avenue with a friend. Her friend received minor injuries, and was treated and released from Athens Regional Medical Center on the day of the incident.

Potash appeared in Athens-Clarke County Municipal Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded no contest to a charge of driving with a suspended license and pleaded guilty to driving too fast for conditions and to a turn lane violation, said a court official. He was sentenced to two years of probation, ordered to perform 160 hours of community service and to pay $2,252.45 in restitution, but it was unclear who will receive the restitution. Potash is also required to attend defensive driving school, the court official said.

Grace was admitted to ARMC following the accident, and after three weeks in the intensive care unit, was admitted to the Shepherd Center for continued treatment and rehabilitation.

“Grace has made tremendous strides during her inpatient rehabilitation,” said Dr. Anna Elmers, a Shepherd Center physician. “In our outpatient program, she will continue physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapy on a regular basis. She has a long way to go, but is very hard-working and has a very supportive family.”

Grace, a senior at Clarke Central High School, is a dual enrollment student at the University of Georgia.

“She is doing well,” Grace’s father, Chris Byrne, said Thursday. “We are just really excited to have her home.”

A fund has been established to help offset medical expenses and to support others with brain injuries. Donations can be sent to the Grace Devaux Byrne Medical Fund in care of Athens First Bank & Trust, 150 W. Hancock Ave., Athens, GA 30603.